I killed my 2008 Pure and walked away. - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

Kissiek · 09-05-2010, 01:50 PM

Hi fellow Smarties, just a quick introduction by way of a recent event that happened to me and my SMART.

On July 20th, 2010 at approximately 7:55pm I opened my car door and walked away from my rolled SMART car with nothing more than a slightly swollen left hand and a couple of scrapes on my left arm and shoulder, the car was a total wreck and was considered a “write-off” by the insurance company. This little car was amazing and without a doubt contributed to in having saved my life! I would like to thank everyone involved with what was my SMART car.

Travelling with the flow of traffic at about 110 km/h on the QEW Niagara bound, my SMART Car struck the start of the guardrail on the left side of the roadway, head on. I am not entirely sure of all the events, but I do know the car flipped or rolled at least once. I have a vague memory of being on my left side as the car made what I believe was its final roll back onto its four wheels and then coming to a complete stop on the right shoulder of the highway. Still in a daze, or possible shock over what had just happened, I realized that staying in the car was not likely the best thing to do. I took a quick look around the inside of the car and noted that both the driver and passenger windows were intact and the front window was as well. I put my hand on the driver’s door handle and tried to open it - the door opened just as it had the day I took delivery of the SMART car. I have to admit, I did not really think about it much at that point, I simply unbuckled my seat belt and stepped out of the car and walked away to a safe location.

As I was calling 911, I turned and looked back at my SMART. The front end was missing its cowling and the driver side front tire was flat. There were scratches and scrapes along both driver and passenger sides of the car and the glass was missing from the rear hatch. The hazard lights were flashing and there was radiator fluid leaking from the front of the car. As I was talking with authorities on the cell phone, I was starting to realize what had just happened. My SMART had hit a solid object at about 110 km/h, crossed two lanes of traffic in an acrobatic manoeuvre and came to rest on its wheels - and I simply opened the door and walked away!

In response to the 911 operator’s inquiries, I checked myself out. I noticed a scrape on my left hand and a slightly swollen middle knuckle. A brush burn kind of mark on my left under arm, but no signs of blood or broken limbs. I was fine! My SMART car did everything I had read it was suppose to do, it likely saved my life. As the police, ambulance and tow operator showed up and after all the important questions were answered, I remember each of them looking at amazement at the car and then at me. They all could not understand how I simply opened the door and walked away from it without any serious injury. The paramedics checked me over and confirmed that I was all in one piece without broken limbs or skin.

The next day I went to my SMART dealer and ordered my new 2010 SMART which I am currently working on several MODs for.

So if you know anyone who needs to know how safe these cars just send them my way and I would be happy to let them know what happened to me and my SMART.

Kermit · 09-05-2010, 02:01 PM

Glad you're OK. Do you have any before/after pics to go along with the story?

**JPaul** · 09-05-2010, 02:04 PM

This is great news, I mean that the smart did what it was meant to do: save your life! And even prevented you from having a long hospital stay. Of course you'll share on the safeandsmart.com: home site too (if it's not already done)...
And enjoy your new car. Many more smiling miles!